Manchester City's defender is desperate to start in the FA Cup final after
only being a substitute in 2011 victory.

There is a large photograph on one of the Manchester City forums of the club’s wildly popular Argentine right-back. “Always be yourself,” exhorts the message. “Unless you can be Pablo Zabaleta. Then always be Pablo Zabaleta.” That sums up City supporters’ love of a whole-hearted, community-minded, smiling Argentine voted into the Professional Footballers’ Association Premier League team of the year. “Zaba” is also expected to be named City’s player of the season next week. Individual accolades are nice but Mr City hunts trophies. Having played only two minutes of the 2011 FA Cup final, Zabaleta cannot wait to start today against Wigan Athletic.

He is well aware of his country’s association with Wembley, dating back to 1951 and containing moments of infamy like Antonio Rattin’s refusal to leave the pitch in 1966. “People still talk about him in Argentina,” Zabaleta reflected of Rattin. “He was a good player.’’ His compatriots inevitably talk about Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa. “They beat Man City in the FA Cup final [replay of 1981]. I don’t remember them as players as I was born in 1985 but I saw the [Villa] goals on the Internet and I spoke to them when we played Spurs away.”

The prominence of Zabaleta, Sergio Agüero and Carlos Tevez means many Argentinians will tune in back home. “People are talking about Manchester City a lot and when I go to Argentina I see a lot of kids wearing the City shirt. It was difficult to see that before but with three Argentinians in the team it means we are one of the most popular so that is great. We are ambassadors of our country.’’

Now 28, Zabaleta learned his trade in the youth team of San Lorenzo while the great 1986 World Cup-winning centre-back, Oscar Ruggeri, was in charge of the first team. “There is a lot of passion for football in Argentina and when we are young we try to learn how to defend very well,” Zabaleta said. “Defenders love to show passion and be aggressive and this is part of the qualities we learn when we were young.

“In both countries you can smell football. People are always talking about football, watching football, going to the stadium. England is unbelievable to see how the fans respect each other. Sometimes [in certain tribal English matches] it is difficult to see this but it is something we need improve in Argentina. Sometimes you do see them (rival fans) fighting and this is too much.”

Among the many tuning in will be his father Jorge. Zabaleta had hoped he would fly in, having missed attending the 2011 final after suffering a horrendous car-crash. “Unfortunately he is not coming for the game but I have got some friends coming from Argentina and Spain,” the former Espanol player said. “Hopefully next time. Yes he will be watching at home, it is four hours behind. It will be live, he is always watching Premier League games and especially Manchester City games.” Watching with great pride.

The esteem in which Zabaleta is held is eloquently voiced by Yaya Touré. “He is an unbelievable guy, a great man and I enjoy playing with him because he is so good in the dressing-room,” Touré said. “I hope he is a guy who stays long at the club because he has so much desire and determination for every game. He has a fantastic character.”

When Touré’s praise is relayed to Zabaleta he responds with typical modesty. “It is something special, massive for myself,” Zabaleta said of the accolades being bestowed on him. “I have been working very hard to get myself into the team. It has been a special season because I was a regular player, week in week out.”

He is totally established in City’s defence, totally committed whether defending or charging down the wing. He knows a fit-again Micah Richards presses him for the place. “Micah is back and we know how important he is for the team. He can play right-back, he can play centre-back. His pace and power is important for the team. He is a great lad. I know him for five years and he is a fantastic team-mate. He is a challenge but I like it. Discipline and hard work is the key to earn a place in that team.”

With Richards starting the 2011 FA Cup final, Zabaleta was on the bench until coming on for Tevez. “You want to start this kind of game, see yourself on the team-sheet. But football is about the collective, not about an individual, so whoever does not start in the final needs to support the team.

“The development of the club has been incredible the last few years. I signed in 2008 and I saw massive change in the club. When you look at the team today we have great players and always expect to keep winning trophies, that is why it is important for us on Saturday to lift a trophy.

“It always takes time to build a team and a winning mentality. We are learning about mistakes and this is the most important thing for the future. The quality of the team is fantastic but we need to work together also on the mentality to be very strong.” Solution? Always be Pablo Zabaleta.